Combination vanity-purse



2 Sheets-Sheet 1 B. R. BRODY COMBINATION VANITY-PURSE Filed Jan. 25, 1958 Sept. 12, 1939.

INVENTOR. 9 EEA/JHM/N fiaamrfifiuov ATTORNEY.

MGM i M P 12, 1939- B. R. BRODY COMBINATION VANITY-PURSE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

Filed Jan. 25, 1938 BEA/JF/M/A/ RUB/5R7- EIRUDH WW/1M ATTORNEY.

Patented Sept. 12, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COMBINATION VANITY-PURSE York Application January 25, 1938, Serial No. 186,840

2 Claims.

This invention relates generally to pocketbooks, handbags or purses, and more particularly to combination vanity-purses.

Among the objects of the present invention is the provision of a combination vanity-purse which in addition to having space in which the articles normally carried in a womans purse may be contained also has an ample space for holding or containing other articles of personal use which are frequently used.

Another object herein is the provision of a multiple pocket purse in which any one of the pockets may have relatively large things placed therein or removed therefrom, independently of another pocket.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a purse of the class described in which all of the pockets may be fully opened simultaneously, so that relatively large things may be removed from one of the pockets and trans ferred to another of the pockets.

A feature of the present invention lies in the fact that when the purse is partially or fully opened about the vertical axis thereof, the purse may be stood up on a flat surface so that it may be used in vanity table fashion.

Womens purses as generally used present the objection that when certain articles are needed therefrom it becomes necessary to open the entire bag, thereby running the risk of accidental loss of other articles from within the bag, either through inadvertence or from actual theft. The latter conditions exist especially when the purse is opened in crowded places with accompanying jostling.

Another advantage of the present structure is that the vanity portion of the purse may be used completely independently of the pocket portions thereof so that a woman may apply cosmetics, obtain and light cigarettes, and perform similar operations in public places or crowds without opening the pocket portions of the purse and thus exposing money or any other things which it is desired be concealed from public view.

Another advantage of the present invention lies in the fact that same may be incorporated in handbags either of the frame, pouch, or slide fastener type.

A still further advantage of the invention is that small articles which ordinarily drop to the most inaccessible depths. of the pouch portion of the pocketbook are maintained in a very convenient position on the vanity surfaces. These small articles are visible when the vanity portion or compartment of the purse is open, and

such visibility is of value because these small articles such as flashlights, keys, combs, nail files, lipsticks, compacts, auxiliary purses, pencils, card cases, and so forth, are often mislaid or misplaced after use owing to the belief that they have already been replaced within the pouch portion of the pocketbook. The visibility of these articles as quickly viewed when the vanity portion of the vanity purse permits an easy checkup so that loss or misplacement is immediately noted.

A still further object is the provision of structure whereby the foregoing objects are accomplished in an economical and efiicient manner, and at the same time, with the enhancement of the appearance of the bag, since handbags are carried by women and thus the aesthetic elements of style and beauty of line are important.

These objects and other incidental ends and advantages will more fully appear in the following disclosure and as pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings showing three alternate embodiments of the invention, similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout theseveral views ofeach embodiment. In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a, front elevational view of a first embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is an end elevation of Figure 1 as seen from the left end thereof. I

Figure 3 is an end elevation of Figure 1 as seen from the right thereof.

Figure 4 is an elevational view taken similarly to Figure 1 but in which the vanity compartment is shown opened ready for use.

Figure 5 is a view in perspective showing the frame of the vanity-pursein a position it would take when all three of the compartments of said vanity-purse are partially opened.

Figure 6 is a view in perspectiveof a second embodiment of the invention.

Figure 6A is an end elevational View of Figure 6 as seen from the plane 6A6Athereon.

Figure 6B is a fragmentary sectional View of the frame of the second embodiment of the vanity-purse as seen from the plane 63-63 on Figure 6.

Figure 6C is a plan view of the vanity-purse in Figure 6 as the same appearswhen all of the compartments are fully opened.

Figure 7 is a View in perspective of a' third embodiment of the invention.

Figure 8 is an elevational view looking at the vanity surface of the vanity-purse when the vanity compartment is fully opened.

Turning now to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 5 inclusive, the handbag comprises outer walls I and II and inner walls I2 and I3. Walls I0 and I2 form together with the gussets I4 and I5 and bottom I6 a pouch or compartment generally indicated by numeral l I; while walls II and I3 form together with gussets I8 and I9 and bottom a pouch or compartment generally indicated by numeral 2|.

The frame of the first embodiment is generally indicated by numeral 22 and is comprised of four substantially U shaped frame members 23, 24, and 26, each being preferably of channel construction substantially U shaped in cross section, and including horizontal portions 21, 28, 29 and 3.0 respectively. The horizontal portions 21 to are each provided with vertical portions 3| and 32, 33 and 34, and 36, 31 and 38 respectively. Vertical portions 3| and 33, 32 and 34, 36 and 38, and 35 and 31 are pivotally connected at the lower ends thereof by hinges 39, 40, 4| and 42 respectively. Vertical portions 34 and 36 are pivotally connected by a hinge 43.

Horizontal portion 28 is provided with a spring catch or resiliently mounted block 44 having a depression (not shown) which is adapted for detachable engagement with the projection mounted on horizontal portion 21. Horizontal portion 29 is provided with a spring catch or resiliently mounted block 46 having a depression which is adapted for detachable engagement with the projection 41 mounted on horizontal portion 30. Vertical portion 35 is provided with a spring catch or resiliently mounted block 48 having a depression which is adapted for detachable engagement with a projection 49 mounted on vertical portion 33.

The upper edges and upper portions of the side edges of walls Ill and II are suitably secured within the channels of the frame members 23 and 26 respectively; while the upper edges and upper portions of the side edges of walls I2 and I3 are suitably secured within the channels of frame members 24 and 25 respectively.

The wall I2 on the outer surface thereof as viewed in Figure 4 is provided with a mirror 50, a pocket 5|, and a comb pocket 52 disposed on the pocket 5|, containing a comb 53. Wall I3 similarly viewed is provided on the outer surface thereof with pockets 54, 55, 56, and 5'! containing a cigarette lighter 58, cigarette case 59, lipstick 60, and rouge and powder compact 6|, respectively.

It may now be seen that by operating the block 44 the frame members 23 and 24 may be swung open about the hinges 39 and 40 thereby permitting access to compartment I'I; while entirely independently thereof, the block 46 may be operated so that the frame members 25 and 26 may be swung open about the hinges 4| and 42 thereby permitting access to the compartment 2|. As is the case with bags of pivotally mounted frame type, the effective size of the mouth of the bag is governed by the angular displacement, about the hinges therefor, of the frame members; the maximum clearance existing when the pivotally connected frame members are 180 degrees apart. Where a handbag or purse includes only one compartment such 180 degrees movement is readily accomplished, but when the purse is of the multiple compartment type it becomes impossible to simultaneously open each of the pairs of frame members comprising the mouths of the compartments a full 180 degrees. In the present invention this disadvantage is eliminated in that the block 48 may be operated thereby permitting the frame members 24 and 25 to swing about the hinge 43. The purse may then be opened to take a shape and appearance similar to Figure 60. While ordinarily such large objects are not carried in womens purses that necessitate the full opening of 180 degrees yet in these purses it is frequently necessary that the whole hand be inserted into the compartment so that the fingers may retrieve a small object resting in the bottom of the compartment. When the vanitypurse is open as seen in Figure 60 it becomes a simple matter to insert the hand into either of the compartments and to transfer articles from one compartment to another.

It may now also be seen that the opposed surfaces of the compartments I1 and 2| are utilized to form a vanity compartment (when block 48 and projection 49 are engaged) and a vanity surface indicated generally by numeral 62 (when the frame members 24 and 25 are 180 degrees apart about the hinge 43). The walls I2 and I3 may be of laminated construction so that a different color or type of fabric may be used, such as white kid on a black suede bag to give a desirable effect. When the vanity surface 62 is thus exposed the vanity-purse may be placed with the bottoms I6 and 29 resting on a fiat surface and the vanity-purse may be stood up to act like a dressing table mirror. It may also be noted at this point in the disclosure that the vanity surface 62 may be used without in any way opening the compartments I1 and 2| with the advantages set forth among the objects of this invention.

Turning now to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 6, 6A, 6B and 60, it may be said that this embodiment is generally similar in construction and operation to the first embodiment just described, except that when the vanity compartment is closed the frame members bordering the vanity compartment prevent any article from dropping out of the compartment should such article become accidentally dislodged from one of the pockets therefor.

In the second embodiment I0 and II' indicate outer walls; I2 and I3 inner walls; I4, I5, I8 and I9 indicate gussets. Walls I0 and I2 form together with gussets I4 and I5 a compartment generally indicated by numeral I'I; while walls II and I3 form together with gussets I8' and I9 a compartment generally indicated by numeral 2|.

The frame of the second embodiment is generally indicated by 22' and is comprised of eight substantially U shaped frame members 23, 24, 25, 26, 63, 64, 65 and 66; each being preferably of channel construction and substantially U shaped in cross section, and including horizontal portions 21, 28', 29 and 30'. The horizontal portions 21' to 30 are each provided with vertical portions 3| and 32', 33' and 34', 35' and 36, 31' and 38 respectively. The U shaped frame members 63, 64, 65 and 66 are pivotally connected at the upper ends thereof to the lower ends of U shaped frame members 23', 24', 25' and 26' by eight hinges 39, the construction of which is best seen in Figure 6B. The frame members 63 and 64 are connected together, as also are frame members 65 and 66 in any suitable manner as by rivets. Vertical portions 34 and 36' are connected by a hinge 43'.

Horizontal portion 28 is provided with a spring catch or resiliently mounted block 44' having a depression (not shown) which is adapted for detachable engagement with a projection mounted on horizontal portion 21. Horizontal portion 28 is provided with a similar block 46 adapted for detachable engagement with horizontal portion 30. Vertical portion 35 is provided with a similar block 48 adapted for detachable engagement with vertical portion 33.

The upper edges and upper portions of the side edges of walls It! and H are suitably secured within the channels of the frame members 23 and 26' respectively; while the upper edges and upper portions of the side edges of walls I? and I3 are suitably secured within the channels of frame members 24 and 25' respectively. The lower edges and lower portion of the side edges of the walls Ill and II are suitably secured within the channels of the frame members 63 and 8'3 respectively; while the lower edges and lower portions of the side edges of walls I2 and 13 are suitably secured within the channels 64 and 65 respectively. The walls l2 and I3 are provided with articles and pockets similar to the walls l2 and I3, and when the block 48 is manipulated the vanity-purse may be swung about the hinge 43 to disclose a vanity surface 62'. When the vanity-purse is in this position either of the compartments H or 19 may be fully opened through at least degrees without interfering in any way with each other (see Fig. 60). When the block 48 is in engagement with the projection on the vertical portion 33, either of the blocks M or 46' may be operated to give access to the compartments l1 and 2] respectively, yet the vanity surface 62' forms the walls of a vanity compartment from which objects on the vanity surface 52' may not be accidentally lost. This structure may be understood by a perusal of Figure 6B in which, as viewed thereon, portion 3| may be arcuately moved to the left and portion 3'! may be similarly moved to the right, but since portions 35' and 65 are arcuately movable only toward each other to the left and portions 33 and M are arcuately movable toward each other only to the right, and since portions 33 and t5, and E i and 65 are abutting, the portions 33 and 6 8, and 35' and 65 act as if they were integral and rigid. Of course, after the block 48' is manipulated, and the vanity compartment is fully opened the portions SI and 33' are arcuately movable away from each other through at least 180 degrees and the portions 35 and 31' are similarly movable.

Turning now to the third embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures '7 and 8, the vanity-purse is of the frameless variety having known slide fastener closing means. The handbag comprises outer walls l0" and I I" and inner walls :2 and l3". Walls Ill and i2" form together with gusset l4 and another gusset and a bottom- (not shown) a pouch or compartment generally indicated by numeral H"; while walls H" and I3" form together with gusset l8" and a gusset and bottom (not shown) a pouch or compartment generally indicated by numeral 2 l The walls l2" and I3 are preferably integral so that the connecting portion between them becomes a hinge 43". The outer end of wall it adjacent the free vertical edge thereof is provided with a male portion 48" of a snap fastener; while the outer end of wall II" is provided with a tab 48" which has mounted thereon a plurality of female portions 6! of snap fasteners.

The upper edges of walls l0 and i2 are detachably connected by a slide fastener 45 having an operating tab 44"; while walls II" and it are similarly treated with a slide fastener 51 having an operating tab 46".

The Wall 12 is provided on the outer surface thereof, as viewed in Figure 8 of the accompanying drawings, with a clock, 68, a triple pocket 69 containing a rouge case 10, a lipstick H, and a powder case #2; while wall I3" is provided with a coin purse [3, a. pocket 14 and a comb E5 in said pocket. The purse 13 has one of its walls afiixed to wall l3" as is well known in the art.

It may thus be seen that either of the tabs A or 46 may be operated independently, while if the tab 48 is disconnected from fastener portion 49 the vanity-purse may be swung open about the hinge 43" exposing the vanity surface 62". When the vanity-purse is thus opened, the slide fasteners 45 and 41" may be simultaneously opened thereby giving access to both compartment 2i" and Ill" since the swinging of the upper portion of walls I2" and I3" in a manner so as to be about an imaginary horizontal axis is unhindered, a condition which does not exist when the walls I2" and [3" are contacting or adjacent each other.

The foregoing description has been made rather detailed for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, but the appended claims should be construed as broadly as permissible in view of the prior art.

I claim:

1. In a purse, a pair of frames each adapted to support an individual purse compartment, each of said frames consisting of a pair of inverted U- shaped members each of which has a pair of legs and a cross bar connecting respective ends of said legs, said frames each having a leg of one member of the frame hingedly connected to a leg of a member of the other frame and having the remaining legs of the hingedly connected members provided with coacting clasp means.

2. In a purse, a pair of frames each adapted to support an individual purse compartment, each of said frames consisting of a pair of inverted U shaped members each of which has a pair of legs and a cross bar connecting respective ends of said legs, said frames each having a leg of one member of the frame hingedly connected to a leg of a member of the other frame and having the remaining legs of the hingedly connected members provided with coacting clasp means, sheet material carried by the hingedly connected members, and. article supporting means on the pro-X- imal ces of said sheet material.

BENJAMIN ROBERT BRODY. 

